Bentley Academy Assistant Principal Yamilis Cruz Named to Latinos for Education 2025 Aspiring Latino Leaders Fellowship
Ms. Cruz’s honor the latest of several for SPS educators
SALEM (Oct. 28, 2025) – Yamilis Cruz, assistant principal at the dual language Bentley Academy Innovation School, was named to the Latinos for Education 2025 Aspiring Latino Leaders Fellowship, the Boston-based organization announced Monday.
Ms. Cruz (second row, farthest right) was one of 27 educators and community leaders across the Bay State selected for the Fellowship, who represent schools, non-profit organizations and education systems.
The Fellowship equips participants with the skills, networks, and confidence to lead with impact and prepares them to influence decisions in classrooms, districts, and communities. Throughout the program, fellows will strengthen their leadership and advocacy skills, building on the successes of previous cohorts.
“Being a part of the Aspiring Latino Leaders Fellowship is an opportunity to be in the space of many Latino leaders, and be in that space often,” said Ms. Cruz. “That in and of itself makes it special.”
Ms. Cruz’s appointment marks the third straight year a Salem Public Schools educator has been represented in the Fellowship. Elena Rodriguez, Innovation Manager at Collins Middle School, was selected last year while former CMS assistant Principal Johanny Canada-Hlatshwayo was selected for the 2023-24 school year.
Additionally, SPS educators have recently been the recipient of several LFE honors:
- In May 2025, Johanna Rodriguez, the City Connects Coordinator at Collins Middle School, received the LFE Shine Award for her work and advocacy.
- In October 2023, Janet Garcia, a bilingual reading specialist at Bentley Academy, and Odilia Smith, a Spanish educator at Collins Middle School, received the Exceptional Latino Educator awards.
- At the same ceremony, SPS Superintendent Dr. Stephen Zrike received the La Lucha Award, presented to the exceptional school administrator who demonstrates consistent commitment to educational equity.
“This is a way to ensure Latino voices are lifted in Massachusetts, and to make sure Latino student voices are heard,” Ms. Cruz added. “I hope to learn and grow from those around me, and to recruit and retain more Latino leaders in education.”
Ms. Cruz joined Salem Public Schools in 2023 as an assistant principal at Collins Middle School before moving on to Bentley in the summer of 2024. Previously, she served as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher at Chelsea Public Schools from 2021-23, preceded by a 10-year stay as an educator in Miami Dade County and Broward County school districts in her native Florida.
Ms. Cruz’s appointment aligns with the District’s Strategic Plan four core principles, particularly elevating learning and empowering educators, as LFE ‘s focus is improved outcomes for Latino students.
“Our Fellows are deeply rooted in their communities and bring powerful perspectives to the education sector,” said Jorge Fanjul, Executive Director of Latinos for Education in Massachusetts. “This program ensures our community’s voices are represented in decision-making spaces where the policies and practices that affect our children are shaped.”
Ms. Cruz is a dual graduate of Florida International University (bachelor’s degree in 2010, M.Ed in 2011). She received her certificate of advanced graduate study (CAGS) from Nova Southeastern University in 2013.
A native of Miami, she lives in Salem with her husband and son.
About Salem Public Schools
Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district in Salem, Massachusetts, a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Our leaders and our teachers are passionate about education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement with equity and social-emotional needs as the lens through which we view our work. We respect and value the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students and their families, and have a strong commitment to the Salem community. Salem Public Schools staff unconditionally serves each of our 4,000 students across 11 schools regardless of ability or language.
